Life Savers

Firefighters, police officers receive commendations

CHANNAHON — A life was saved in September because of the fast and persistent actions of some hard-working Channahon police, firefighters, and paramedics.

Those individuals were recognized by the Channahon Village Board in November for their actions.
Police Sgt. Jon Jackubowski and Officers Matthew Brooks and Daniel Kostal; Firefighters Lts. Matt Skole and Jake Randich; Firefighter/Paramedics Ryan Jandura and Kurt Liebermann; and Probationary Firefighter Chad McGinnins received Company Citation Commendation Bars from Channahon Fire Protection District Chief John Petrakis.

“We’re always watching our people,” Petrakis said after the meeting, “and we always want them to know when they’re doing exceptionally well.”

Petrakis said the citations were given for efforts of the engine and ambulance and police crews that were above and beyond.

“It shows the community how truly important teamwork is in this work,” he added.

The award was given for the work the team did responding Sept. 20 to a 911 call for help. The three police officers who were first to arrive on the scene found a woman who had suffered a heart attack and had no heart beat or respiration.

After an assessment of the patient’s condition and a check of her airways, they immediately began CPR. The woman was unconscious, Officer Brooks said, didn’t have a heartbeat, and wasn’t breathing.

A few minutes later, the firefighters and paramedics arrived and assessed the patient again to find she was still not breathing on her own. They took over the CPR efforts and, simultaneously to the CPR being conducted, Brooks said, the responders carried her down the stairs of her home on a backboard, into the ambulance.

“With the collaborative efforts of the police department and fire district personnel,” Petrakis said, “they were able to restore a palpable pulse and respirations.”

Paramedics were able to keep the patient’s spontaneous heart rate and breathing going through their delivery of her to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Kostal and Brooks said it’s not the first time they have saved a life, but it’s nice to be recognized. Too often, they said, the public only sees them giving tickets along the roadside.

“It’s a good feeling when you can do something really positive for the community,” Kostal said.